Chain-clasp.



H. E. KERLEY.

GRAIN GLASP. APrLxoATIoN FILED JUNI: 1s, 190e.

Patented May 18, 1909,V

YUNTED STATES PATENT GFFE.

HUBERT E. KERLEY, OF MARIETTA, GEORGIA.

CHAIN-CLASP.

Application filed June 18, 1908.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, HUBERT E. KERLEY, a citizen of the 'United States, residing at Marietta, in the county of Cobb and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Chain-Clasp, of which the following is a speciiication.

his invention relates generally to clasps, and particularly to one of that class employed on jewelry for securing together the ends of a neck or other chain. Y

rThe objects of the invention are to provide an article of this character in which the parts shall, in a novel manner, be held positively assembled against accidental separation; in which no projecting parts shall be presented to catch in the hair or clothing of the wearer with attending danger of breakage, in which the releasing and assemblage of the members may be readily effected 5 and in which the parts shall be so constructed and arranged as to insure the greatest durability in use with the minimum of liability of injury from careless handling.

`illith the above and other objects, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and combination of parts of a jewelry clas as will be hereinafter fully described and c aimed.

ln the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference'indicate corresponding parts Figure l is a view in perspective of a jewelry clasp constructed in accordance with thepresent invention, the parts thereof being separated. liig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the clasp, showing the parts assembled.

The article embodies the male member designated generally l, and the female member generally designated 2.

The male member embodies a tubular section 3 to the closed end of which is attached in any desired manner a ring 4. Secured within the section 3 is the locking member or latch, which in this instance is constructed from a length of resilient wire, and is longitudinally cleft for a greater' portion of its length to provide two arms 5 and 6, the former of which is soldered or otherwise attached to the inner wall of the section 3. The arm 6 is somewhat the shorter and is provided adjacent to its free ends with a boss 7 of less width than the arm, the outer face of the boss being concaved and its wall 8 being disposed at Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 18, 1909.

Serial No. 439,238.

right angles to the length of the arm, as clearly shown in Eig. 2, and spaced at any preferred distance from the opposing end of the section 3.

The female member embodies a tubular 'section 9 of the same external diameter as the section 3, and to its closed end is attached in any desired manner a ring l0. Adjacent to the open end of the section 9 is formed a slot l1 through which the boss 7 projects when the two clasp members are assembled, as shown in Fig. 2, the forward wall l2 of the slot being here shown as disposed at right angles to the length of the member and being engaged by the wall S of the lug. The section 9 adjacent to the slot is beveled on an inward curve to provide a nail guide 125 by which to facilitate the s )ringing of the lug out of engagement with tie slot when the members are to be disconnected. I

As will be observed by reference to Fig. 2, the lng lies flush with the outer face of the section 2, thus to obviate the presentation of a ro'ection that might catch in the hair or garments of the wearer. rThis disposition of the lug also materiali r facilitates its engagement by the linger or thumb nail of the user when the members are to be disconnected.

Aside -from the finished appearance imparted to the article by having both sections of the same external diameter a more stable clasp is secured, and the assemblage of the two members is greatly facilitated as the shoulder formed by the inner section 3 will positively operate to limit the inward insertion of the member l, so that proper coaction between the slot and the lug will at all times be assured.

As will be obvious the members of the clasp may be circular in cross section, as shown, or polygonal according to the taste of the user.

It will be obvious that changes in the form, proportions, and relative arrangement of parts of the device may be made and also other modifications, without departing from the spirit of the invention and so long as such changes or modifications are within the scope of the claims.

What l claim is l. A clasp of the class described comprising a sleeve member formed with a shoulder, and a second member comprising a locking element which is bifurcated and is provided upon one of its furcations with a boss for engagement with the shoulder of the irst i mentioned member, and means rigidly con l neoted with one of the furoations and engaged by the other furoation to limit the E springing of the last mentioned furoation away from the first mentioned fureation.

2. A Clasp of the class described comprised of a sleeve member formed with a shoulder,

and secured therein and having the other fureation projecting into the head and formed with a boss `for engagement with the shoulder of the first mentioned member.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as .my own, I have hereto aHiXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HUBERT E. KERLEY and a second member comprising a head and l Vitnesses: a looking element which is bifureated and W. S. N. N EALI has one of its fureations itted into the head l J. lA. MAssEY. 

